UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

EFFECTS OF PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE, BONE CHARA CTERISTICS, BLOOD MINERALS AND CALCIUM

AND PHOSPHORUS RETENTION IN BROILER QUAILS

ATEFEH SHEIKHLAR

FP 2009 8

EFFECTS OF PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE, BONE CHARA CTERISTICS, BLOOD M INERALS AND CALCIUM AND

PHOSPHORUS RETENTION IN BROILER QUAILS

By

A TEFEH SHEIKHLAR

Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Agriculture Science.

May 2009

Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia i n fulfi lment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Agriculture Science

EFFECTS OF PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE, B ONE CHARACTERISTICS, BLOOD M INERALS AND CALCIUM AND

PHOSPH ORUS RETENTION IN B ROILER QUAILS

By

A TEFEH SHEIKHLAR

May 2009

Chairman : Associate Professor Azhar B . Kasim, PhD

Faculty: Agriculture

Two experiments were conducted to determine the appropriate ratio of calcium (Ca) and

total phosphorus (tP) (to be used for the second experiment) capable to elicit good

response on the addition of dietary phytase to broi ler quai l's diet, and to study the effect

of varying levels of thi s enzyme on the growth performance, Ca and P reten tion,

plasma' s Ca and P, crude protein (CP) and phytate P (pP) retention and bone

characteristics in broi ler quai ls. In the first experiment 600 quai ls were subjected

randomly to 5 treatments consisting ratios of Ca and tP: 1.39, 1.53, 1 .66 (normal ratio),

1 .8 1 , and 1 .96. Each treatment was replicated four times, consistin g of 30 birds per

replicate. The experimental period was 21 days. The second experiment used 480

quails, birds were randomly distributed i nto five treatment groups consisting of different

levels of microbial phytase supplementation of 0, 250, 500, 750, 1 000 FrU (phytase

u nits). Each treatment was replicated four times, consisting of 24 birds per replicate, and

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experimental period was also 2 1 days. Basal diet was based on corn and soybean meal .

In Experiment 1 , feed intake of quai ls across treatments did not show any significant

difference. However, body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)

increased significantly (P <0.05) by normal ratio ( 1 .66) and low ratios ( 1 .53 and 1 .39) of

these minerals. Lower ratios of Ca and tP ( 1 .53 and 1 .39) i ncreased tibia ash content

significantly (P<0.05). Ratios of Ca and tP ( 1 .66, 1 .53 and 1 .39) resulted i n significant

(P<0.05) enlargement of proliferative zone of the tibial proximal end. P concentration in

the plasma was not significantly affected. Decreasing ratio of these two minerals from

1 .96 to 1 .39 numerically increased the concentration of P in plasma. However, Ca level

in plasma was sign ificantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Retention of P in these ratios of Ca

and tP ( 1 .8 1 , 1 .66, 1 .53 and 1 .39) compared to ratio of 1 .96 w as significant ly (P <0.05)

low and Ca retention in the ratios of 1 .66, 1 .53 and 1 .39 was high. Hence, Ca and tP

ratios of 1 .8 1 and 1 .96 caused negative effect on parameters measured. B etween these

two ratios ( 1 .8 1 and 1 .96), ratio of 1 .8 1 selected to be used in the second experiment due

to avoid adverse effect of high ratio of Ca and tP ( 1 .96) on microbial phytase activity.

In the second experiment, BWG of broiler quails fed diets with differen t levels of

phytase did not show any significant differences. However, feed intake (FI) and FCR

were affected significantly by this enzyme (P <0.05). Phytase significantly (P < 0.05)

enhanced percentage of tibia ash . The proliferative zone was not significantly different

(P > 0 .05) by addition of dietary phytase even though it caused numerical i ncrements in

width of this zone. Dietary phytase had significant (P<0.05) impact on plasma P and Ca

concentration. When diets were supplemented with incremental amounts of microbial

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phytase, plasma P was enhanced significantly (P<0.05) but vice versa for plasma Ca

concentration . The highest phytate P retention values ( P<0.05) was obtained from quails

fed with diet containing 1 ,000 FfU phytase. At this level of phytase supplementation,

retention of crude protei n (CP) was also significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Retention of

P and Ca w as i ncreased (P < 0.05) by supplementation of diet with dietary phytase. It is

concluded that supplemental phytase i mproved retention of Ca, P, phytate P, CP i n

broiler quai l s and the level of 1 ,000 FTU of this enzyme had optimum effect o n the

parameters measured in present study. Therefore, level of Ca and tP i n quail diet can be

reduced when dietary phytase is supplemented in the diet.

IV

Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Uni versiti Putra Malaysia sebagi memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Pertanian Sains

Kesan-kesan phytase terhadap prestasi, ciri-ciri tulang, mineral-mineral darah

dan retensi kalsium dan fosforus dalam burung puyuh pedaging

Oleh

A TEFEH SHEIKHLAR

Mei 2009

,Pengerusi : Profesor Madya Azhar B. Kasim, PhD

Fakulti : Pertanian

Dua eksperimen telah dijalankan untuk menentukan nisbah optimum Ca dan jumlah

fosforus (untuk digunakan pada eksperimen kedua) mampu u ntuk meningkatkan tindak

balas yang baik pada penambahan diet phytase kepada burung puyuh pedaging, dan

u ntuk mengkaji kesan aras enzim yang berbeza pada prestasi pertumbuhan, retensi Ca

dan P, plasma kalsium , protein kasar, dan retensi pP serta ciri -ciri tulang pada burung

puyuh . Burung puyuh telah digunakan pada eksperimen pertama ialah sebanyak 600

ekor. Burung-burung tersebut diasingkan secara rawak kepada 5 perlakuan yang

mengandungi n isbah Ca dan P seperti 1 .39, 1 .53 , 1 .66 (nisbah normal), 1 .8 1 , dan 1 .96.

Setiap raw at an telah direplikasikan sebanyak 4 kal i , iaitu sebanyak 30 ekor bagi setiap

repli kat . Tempoh eksperimen i al ah selama 2 1 hari . Eksperimen kedua terdiri daripada

v

pemberian phytase dalam makanan pada aras yang berbeza iai tu 0, 2 50, 500, 750, 1 000

FTU (unit phytase). Setiap perJakuan direplikat sebanyak empat kal i , mengandungi 24

burung pada setiap replikat dan eksperimen juga selama 2 1 hari . Diet asas i alah

berasaskan jagung dan mi l kacang soya. Nisbah terpi l ih bagi Ca dan jumlah fosforus

(tP) ialah 1 .8 1 , yang telah digunakan dalam eksperimen kedua. Dalam eksperimen

pertama, pengambi lan makanan burung puyuh antara pertakuan tidak menunjukkan

sebarang perbezaan yang bererti (P<0.05). Walaubagaimanapun, penambahan berat

badan (BWG), dan ni sbah pertukaran makanan (FCR) bertambah baik (P<0.05) normal

( 1 .66) dan n isbah rendah bagi mineral-mineral tersebut. BWG dan FCR meni ngkat .

Nisbah-nisbah rendah Ca dan tP ( 1 .53 dan 1 .39) meningkatkan kandungan abu tibia

dengan beerti (P<0.05) . Penurunan nisbah Ca dan jumlah tP ( 1 .66, 1 .53 dan 1 .39)

mengakibatkan pembesaran zon prol iferatif bagi hujung tibia proksimal (P<0.05).

Kepekatan fosforus di dalam plasma tidak menunjukkan kesan signifikan. Penurunan

n isbah bagi kedua-dua mineral (dari 1 .96 ke 1 .39 ) numerik, meningkatkan kepekatan P

dalam plasma. Walaubagaimanapun, aras Ca dalam plasma menuru n dengan bererti (P <

0.05). Retensi P pada n isbah yang rendah Ca:tP ( 1 .8 1 , 1 .66, 1 .53 dan 1 .39) adalah

kurang bererti(P< 0.05) tetapi retensi Ca (dalam ni sbah of 1 .66, 1 .53 dan 1 .39 ) adalah

tinggi . Di antra dua nisbah in i ( 1 .8 1 dan 1 .96), nisbah 1 .8 1 dipil ih u ntuk digunakan pada

eksperimen kedua. Ini disebabkan kesan sampingan n i sbah yang tin ggi Ca dan tP 1 .96

terhadap aktiviti phytas.

Pada eksperimen kedua, BWG bagi burung puyuh pedaging yang diberi makan dengan

aras phytase yang berbeza tidak menunjukkan sebarang perbezaan bererti .

Walaubgaimanapun, F I dan FCR telah dipengaruhi secara signifikan melalui enzim ( P

VI

<0.05). Phytase telah meningkatkan peratus abu tibia dengan bererti (P <0.05). Zon

proliferatif tidak menunjukkan perbezan bererti (P <0.05) apabila phytase ditambah lagi .

Walaubagaimanapun ia menunjukan pertambahan numerik pada kelebaran zon in i . Diet

phytase mempunyai kesan bererti pada plasma P dan kepekatan Ca. Apabi la diet

d iberikan jumlah phytase yang tinggi , plasma fosforus meningkat secara bererti ( P

<0.05). Namun , kepekatan plasma kalsium menunjukkan keputusan sebal i knya.

Ni lai retensi phytate P yang tertinggi (P <0.05) didapati daripada burung puyuh yang

d iberi makan diet mengandungi 1 ,000 FfU phytase. Pada pemberian aras phytase i n i ,

retensi bagi protein kering (CP) juga meningkat dengan bererti (P < 0.05) . Retensi bagi

P dan Ca juga bereti (P < 0.05) dengan penambahan phytase ke dalam diet. Ini dapat

dis impulkan pemberian suplemen phytase dapat meningkatkan retensi Ca, P, phytate

P,CP pada burung puyuh dan enzim pada aras 1 ,000 FTU ini mempunyai kesan

optimum pada parameter yang diukur pada kaj ian yang lepas. Oleh sebab itu, aras Ca

dan tP dalam diet burung puyuh dapat dikurangkan apabi la phytase dimasukan ke dalam

diet.

V]]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would l ike to express my profound gratitude to my supervi sor Associate Professor Dr.

Azhar K asim, for h i s guidance, concern, patience and constructive comments

throughout my research . I wish to thank my co-supervi sors Associate Professor Dr. Loh

Tech Chwen, Professor Dr. Mohd Hair Bejo and Professor Dr. Abdolreza Kamyab for

their suggestion and advice. Most of all , I appreciate the respect and confidence they

have shown me, to al low me to flourish as a scientist and person.

My very sincere thanks then goes to Professor Dr. Razak for his invaluable suggestion

and help. I am very grateful to all the staffs and graduate students of the Department of

Animal Science for their assistance, helpfulness and friendship. With especial thanks to

Miss S i ti Aisyah Sidik , Mr. Ibrah im and others.

I would l ike to thank all my friends of the Department of Animal Science and Faculty

of Veterinary Medicine, UPM. Also many deep gratitude to Professor Dr. Shivazad , Dr.

Ayatol l ah i , and Miss Sara Boorboor from Department of Animal Science, Tehran

University, Iran for their constant encouragement , advice and favors.

I woul d l ike to express many thanks to my beloved family and husband for supporting

me throughout my graduate studies. They have taught me that having good morals,

workin g hard, and believing in yourself can take you far in l ife . Most of all I express

thanks to God. I hope to l ive each day better than the last so that I can please h im.

VIII

This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia has been accepted as fulfi l lment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agriculture Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee are as follows:

Azhar Bin Kasim, PhD Associate Professor Department of Animal Science Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman)

Loh Teck Chwen, PhD Associate Professor Department of Animal Science Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

Mohd Hair Bejo, PhD Professor Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

Abdolreza Kamyab, PhD Professor Department of Animal Science Faculty of Agriculture Missouri State University, U SA (Member)

IX

HASANAH {i\ti\ZALI' Ph.D. Professor/De n School of Gr ate udies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 9 July 2009

I certify that a Thesis Examination Committee has met on 12 May 2009 to conduct the final examination of Atefeh Sheikhlar on her thesis entitled "Effects of Phytase Supplementation on Performance, Bone Characteristics, Blood Minerals and Calcium and Phosphorus Retention in Broiler Quails" in accordance with the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 and the Constitution of the Universiti Putra Malaysia [P.U.(A) 106] 15 March 1998. The Committee recommends that the student be awarded the Master of Science.

Members of the Thesis Examination Committee were as follows:

Mohd Ridzwan Abd Halim, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman)

Zulkifli Idrus, PhD Professor Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner)

Engku Azahan Engku Ahmed, PhD Lecturer Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner)

Wan Khadijah Embong, PhD Professor Institute Science Biology Faculty of Science University Malaya

HUAT,PhD Professor and Deputy Dean School of Or duate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date: 2 July 2009

Declaration

I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for qualification and citation which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submi tted for any other degree at UPM or other institu tions.

Date : 31 . 0 1 . o�

x

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION ABSTRACT ACKNOWLEDGMENTS APPROVAL DECLARATION LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF PLATES ABBREVIATION

CHAPTER

1 INTRODUCTION

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2 . 1 Japanese Quail

2 .2 Calciu m and Phosphorus

2.2. 1 Role of calcium and phosphorus i n the body

2.2.2 Body Distribution of Calcium and Phosphate

2.2.3 Fluxes of Calciu m and Phosphate

2.2.4 Hormonal Control Systems

2.2.5 Requirement for phosphorus and calcium by broilers

2.2.6 Role of Calcium and Phosphorus i n bone mineralization

2 .3 Phytate

2.3 . 1 Bioavailability of phytate for poultry

2.3.2 Uti lization of phytate phosphorus

2.3.3 Impact of phytate on avai labi lity of other nutrients

2 .4 Phytase Enzyme

2 .4. 1 Defini tion of phytase action

2 .4.2 Origin of phytase

2.4.3 Phosphorus equivalence of phytase

2 .4.4 Util ization of exogenous phytase i n poultry diet

2 .4.5 Effect of phytase on phytate phosphorus and total phosphorus

2 .4.6 Effect of phytase o n Calcium

2 .4.7 Effect of phytase on protein

2 .4.8 Effect of phytase on cations

2 .4.9 Effect of phytase on energy metabol ism

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2 .4. 1 0 Effect of phytase on poultry 's growth performance

2 .4 . 1 1 Effect of phytase enzyme on bone characteristics

2 .5 Factors influencing activity of phytase

2 .5 . 1 Ratio of Calcium: Phosphorus

2 .5 .2 pH

2 .5 . 3 Concentrati on of ions

2 . 5 .4 Feed processing

2 .6 Manipulating phytase activity in poultry

2.7 Phytase activity between feed i ngredients

2 .8 Effect of feed additives on phytase activity

2.9 Approaches of i mproving phytate P content of feed ingredients

2 . 1 0 Growth plate (epiphysial plate)

2 . 1 0. 1 Avian growth plate

2 . 1 0 .2 Effect of phosphorus and calcium on growth plate of bone

2 . 1 0.3 Effect of phytase on growth plate

2 . 1 1 Conclusion

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3 EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT RA TIOS OF CAL CIUM AND TOTAL PHOSPHORUS O N GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BLOOD MINERALS, RETENTION OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS, AND BONE CHARACTERISTICS IN BROIL ER QUAILS

3 . 1 I ntroduction

3 .2 Materials and Methods

3 .2 .1 Birds housing and management

3 .2 .2 Experimental diets

3 .2 .3 Sample preparation and data collection

3 .2 .4 Analysis of feed, fecal and bone samples

3 .3 Statistical analysis

3 .4 Result

3 .4 . 1 Growth Performance

3 .4 .2 Bone Ash

3 .4 .3 Proliferative Zone

3 .4.4 Blood analysis 3 .4 .5 Retention of calcium and Phosphorus

3 .5 Discussion 3.6 Conclusion

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4 EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PHYTASE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BLOOD MINERALS, RETENTION OF C ALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS AND CRUDE PROTEIN, AND BONE CHARACTERISTICS IN BROILER QUAILS

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Materials and Methods

4.2 . 1 Birds housing and management

4.2 . 2 Experimental diets

4 .2 .3 Analysis of feed, fecal and bone samples

4.3 Statistical analysis

4.4 Resu l t and Discussion

4 .4 . 1 Growth performance

4.4.2 Bone ash

4.4.3 Proliferative Zone

4.4.4 Blood analysis

4.4.5 Retention of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P)

4.4.6 Retention of phytate P (pP)

4.4.7 Retention of crude protein (CP) 4.5 Discussion 4.5 . 1 Growth performance

4.5 .2 Bone characteristics

4 .5 .3 Blood analysis

4 .5 .4 Mineral Retention

4.5 .5 Phytate P retention

4.5 .6 CP retention 4.6 Conclusion

Conclusion and recommendation

REFERENCES BIODATA OF STUDENT

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LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

2.1 Nutrient requirement of quail (NRC 1994) 1 0

2.2 Phytate content in feed ingredients 13

2.3 Availability of non phytate P in some feed ingredients for birds NRC,

(1994) 15

2.4 Phytase activity content of diet ingredients 23

3.1 Composition of experimental diet 1 45

3.2 Effect of treatment diets on feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler quails 52

3.3 Effect of treatment diets on tibia ash content (%) and proliferative zone of

broiler quail 57

3.4 Effect of treatment diets on plasma Ca and P (%) of broiler quail 60

3.5 Effect of treatment diets on Ca and P retention (%) of broiler quai I 6 1

4.1 Composition of experimental diet (from 1-3 weeks of age) 66

4.2 Effect of phytase on feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed

conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler quails 70

4.3 Tibia ash content (%) and proliferative zone of broiler quail affected by

supplemental phytase 75

4.4 Effect of phytase on plasma Ca and P of broiler quail 79

4.5 Effect of phytase on retention of Ca and P of broiler quail 80

4.6 Effect of phytase on retention of phytate P and crude protein of broiler 8 1 quail

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

2 . 1 Schematic diagram of phytate molecule showing bindings with nutrients

2.2 . Hydrolysis of phytic acid by microbial phytase

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LIST OF PLATES

Plate

3 . 1 Broi ler quai l s

3 .2 One of the two battery cages used in the study

3 .3 Proliferative zone of tibial growth plated of birds fed different experimental diets (Experiment 1 )

4 . 1 Columns of phytate P determination

4 .2 Proliferative zone of tibial growth plated of birds fed different experimental diets (Experiment 2)

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ABBREVIATIONS

AA amino acids

ALKP alkal ine phosph atase

AME apparent metabolizable energy

aP avai lable phosphorus

BWG body weight gain

Ca calcium

CCD couple charged device

CP crude protein

Cu copper

DCP dicalcium phosphate

DM dry matter

FCR feed conversion ratio

FI feed intake

FTU phytase unit

g gram

GE gross energy

GIT gastro intest inal tract

h h our

kcal k i lo calorie

Kg kilogram

LWG l i ve weight gain

xvii

MCP mono calcium phosphate

ME metabolize energy

Mg m agnesIUm

mg mil l igram

ml mil l i l iter

mmol mili mol

Mn manganese

N n itrogen

NRC National Research Council

npP non phytate phosphorus

P phosphoros

Pi inorganic phosphorus

pP phytate phosphorus

PU phytase unit

SD standard deviation

tP total phosphorus

U uni t

WG weight gain

wk week

Zn zinc

XVI I I

CHAPTERl

INTRODUCTION

The requirement of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) of poultry has been the subject of

research for more than four decades. Both Ca and P co-exist in many biological

functions (Hurwitz et al., 1995; Underwood and Suttle, 2001) and the dietary

requirement for these minerals is interdependent. Feed is the only source of these

nutrients. However, it is recognized that some nutrients in feed ingredients are not

entirely available to monogastric animals such as poultry and are chelated by phytate

(the salt of acid phytic). Phytate has the property to bind to cations consisting of Ca, P,

Co, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Mg and Pb (Oberleas and Harland, 1996). This strong anti­

nutritional characteristic of phytate limits the absorption of other important nutrients as

well, such as protein (Okubo et al., 1976) and carbohydrate (Thompson and Yoon,

1984).

Hence, phytate-nutrients complex remains undigested by poultry and are excreted in the

feces. Among the bound minerals, P is most disruptive in polluting water. Animal

droppings added to soil, increases P capacity of the soil, and the extra P leaches into

rivers, lakes, and reservoirs causing eutrophication (Correll, 1999; Sharpley, 1999),

odors, sedimentation and other problems that impose various health risks, not only to

humans, but also to livestock and aquatic life.

Impact of environmental pollution due to the disposed of unutilized compounds such as

phytate phosphorus (pP) from intensive poultry farming is of great concern. To

overcome this problem, all feeds for monogastric animals need to supplement with

phytase or other additives that reduce fecal phosphorus (Harter-Dennis and Sterling,

1999).

The beneficial effects of phytase on the availability of pP and other nutrients have been

known since the 1960s (Nelson, 1967) with considerable research being undertaken.

This environmental friendly enzyme is able to improve the usage of P and decreases the

required dietary level of minerals, proteins and amino acids without affecting the

requirements of poultry. This consequently contributes to environmental benefits and

economical advantages.

Phytase breaks down phytate into inorganic P that can be directly used by chickens

(Denbow et al., 1995; Qian et al., 1997; Ravindran et aI., 2000). This enzyme is found

in the digestive tract of monogastric animals. However the amount of intestinal phytase

is not enough to hydrolyze phytate to a considerable amount (Bitar and Reinhold 1972;

Sugiura et al., 1999). Thus, with no supplementation of dietary phytase non-ruminants

require supplemental phosphorus in their ration.

To date, extensive research had carried out to determine the optimum level of

supplemental phytase for fast growing commercial broiler chicken. However, not many

studies on the effect of this enzyme on broiler quails fed corn soybean meal diet with

2

low levels of Ca and P were conducted. Also, in those studies the effect of phytase on

limited numbers of parameters such as growth performance and tibia ash content

(Sacakli et al., 2006; Denek et al., 2007; Osman et al., 2009) had been investigated.

Therefore, the present study has conducted on broiler quails to assay the effect of graded

levels of this enzyme on several parameters at 3 wk of age.

Positive effect of microbial phytase on the reduction of inorganic phosphorus utilization

in the diet seems not to be restricted to this age, as 3 to 5 week old birds also responded

in a manner similar to the yaung quails and chickens (Sacakli et al., 2006; Osman et al.,

2009; Mitchell and Edward, 1996). Hence, present study conducted until 3 week of age

to assay the effect of this enzyme only for this age period.

Thus, the objectives of present study were to determine optimum ratio of Ca and tP

capable to obtain good result on the addition of dietary phytase to broiler quail's diet,

and to investigate the effect of different levels of this enzyme on growth performance,

retention of Ca, P, pP and crude protein (CP), blood parameters and bone characteristics

of broiler quails at three weeks of age.

3

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Japanese Quails

Origin and Characteristics

Quails along with chickens, pheasants and partridges belong to the Family Phasianoidea

of Order Galliformes of the Class Aves of the Animal Kingdom. Species or subspecies

of the genus Coturnix are native to all continents except the Americas. One of them

Coturnix coturnix or common quail are migratory birds of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Several interbreeding subspecies are recognized, the more important being the European

quail, Coturnix coturnix coturnix, and the Asiatic or Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix

japonica. The quail used in this study belongs to the later quails (Howes, 1964).

Young coturnix are yellowish in appearance with stripes of brown and somewhat

resemble turkey poults except for size. The newly hatched chicks weigh about 6 to 8

grams, but grow rapidly during the first few days. After three days flight feathers begin

to appear and the birds are fully feathered about four weeks of age. Partial sexing is

possible by three weeks of age by the cinnamon-colored feathers on the breast of the

male bird, but there are some birds that defy definite sexing by this method, even when

adults.

The adult male coturnix weighs about 140 grams. The male birds can be identified

readily by the rusty brown colored feathers on the upper throat and lower breast region.

Males also have a cloacal gland, a bulbous structure located at the upper edge of the

vent which secretes a white, foamy material. This unique gland can be used to assess the

reproductive fitness of the males (Cheng et ai., 1985).

The adult female coturnix is slightly heavier than the male, weighs about 160 grams.

The body coloration of the female bird is similar to the male except that the feathers on

the throat and upper breast are long, pointed, and much lighter cinnamon. Also, the light

tan breast feathers are characteristically black-stippled.

Coturnix eggs are characterized by a variety of color patterns. The average egg from

mature female weighs about 10 grams, about 8 percent of the body weight of the quail

hen as compared to 3 percent for chicken eggs. The egg of Japanese quail contains 158

Cal. of energy, 74.6% water, 13.1 % protein, 11.2% fat, and 1.1 % total ash. The mineral

content includes 0.59 mg calcium, 220 mg phosphorus and 3.8 mg iron. The vitamin

content is 300 i.u. of vitamin A, 0.12 mg of vitamin B l, 0.85 mg of vitamin B2 and 0.10

mg nicotinic acid (Cheng et ai., 1985).

5